Consumer Tech Confidence
Up In March, Says CEA

4/09/2012 12:01:00 AM Eastern

By: By TWICE Staff

ARLINGTON, VA. — Consumer confidence in technology
improved in March, reaching its highest point
of 2012, according to the latest CEA Index released
today by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA).

Consumer confidence in the overall economy
dropped slightly in March.

Consumer confidence in technology reached 88.9,
its highest level since setting an all-time high of 93.6
in December 2011. The CEA Index of Consumer
Technology Expectations (ICTE), which measures
consumer expectations about technology spending,
is up more than three points from February and is
more than 10 points higher than this time last year.

“New model launches this month, including televisions,
smartphones and notably the release of Apple’s
new iPad, are likely driving the increase in tech
spending sentiment,” said Shawn DuBravac, CEA’s
chief economist and senior research director.

Consumer confidence in the overall economy
dropped slightly in March. The CEA Index of Consumer
Expectations (ICE) fell a percentage point to 173.6. The
ICE, which measures expectations about the broader
economy, is up more than 12 points from last year.